Page 48 of Through the Storms

“Something’s brewing. I have this uneasy feeling.” There was a long pause, but Lana didn’t speak. Oakley didn’t like silence, so if Lana didn’t fill the void, she would likely continue. “Fuck. Maybe I just haven’t recovered from our fi…uh…disagreement.”

“Meaning?”

“Ugh. I’m going to come off like one ofthosewomen.“ Oakley chuckled, but it wasn’t the full-throated laugh Lana was accustomed to.

“Come on. It’s me. Just say it.”

“I’m not being objective. I’ve been sitting in this damned van for the last half hour, skipping breakfast because I can’t make a decision.”

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

The rhythmic sound came through the phone. What the hell was it? “Oakley,” Lana said with a raised voice. “Are you pounding your head against the steering wheel?”

“No.” After several beats, Oakley said. “The dash.”

“Seriously?” Lana shook her head, not sure whether she should be worried or amused. “Please, talk to me.”

“Fine. Ya want to know how pathetic I am?” When Lana remained silent, Oakley said, “I’ve been sitting here staring at the radar, trying to set our course for today. My head says the best conditions for spotting is to go north, but…” Oakley sighed. “I’m fixing to go east toward Independence, instead.”

“Okay…” Lana clicked her mouse and brought up the Doppler radar. Looking at the screen, Lana agreed with Oakley’s original assessment that the conditions north of Wichita held the most promise. “So you have a gut feeling. Haven’t I always told you to trust your gut?”

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

“Would you stop that?”

“My gut’s all screwed up.” Oakley let out a loud breath. “The choices normally come easy to me. They just happen. I just know. But this time, there’s this pull, and I can’t figure it out. But the truth is, I don’t want to be too far away from Oklahoma City. Too far from you. There, I said it.”

Lana’s chest filled with warmth, but then guilt set in. Was Oakley sensing the job interview?Nonsense.There was no way she could. “I think that’s sweet but unusual.”

“I know.”Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.“I’m not that girlfriend that can’t be away from home, and it isn’t like we’ve never had an argument before. Damn it, am I just getting old?”

“Yeah, because thirty-four is ancient.”

Oakley let out a half laugh. “See. I’m sounding like a raving lunatic.”

“I want you to do something.”

“What?”

“Just do what I say.” Lana steeled her voice, in hopes that Oakley would be more apt to comply.

“Fine.”

“Close your eyes.”

“Seriously?”

“Just do it.”

“Okay. They’re closed.”

“Now breathe with me.”

“But—“

“No talking,” Lana said. “Inhale.”

After they took several deep cleansing breaths together, Lana said, “Hopefully, that cleared your head. Now without thinking about it, tell me why you want to stay close to home.”